Method and apparatus for on-demand video program access control using integrated out-of-band signaling for channel selection

Abstract

An on-demand program access system for broadband, frequency division multiplexed cable television signals, one or more infrastructure element (IF) constituting a local video network signal server has a plurality of subscriber premise equipment elements (SPEE) served thereby. Each SPEE constitutes a video network client. Coaxial premise wiring connects each SPEE with the IE for conducting RF modulated programming signals and bi-directional data signals between the IE and each respective SPEE using out-of-band signaling so that there is no overlap between the programming signals and the bi-directional data signals.

1. An on-demand program access system for broadband, frequency division multiplexed cable television signals comprising:
 an infrastructure element (IE) constituting a local video network signal server, said IE including input and output diplexers connected to said cable, a channel service tuner, means connecting said channel service tuner between said input and output diplexers, respectively, a RF modem connected to said input diplexer, a microcontroller connected to said RF modem, and a LAN controller connected to said microcontroller, said microcontroller controlling said channel service tuner, and  
 a plurality of subscriber premise equipment elements (SPEE), each SPEE constituting a video network client, coaxial premise wiring connecting each SPEE with said IE for conducting RF modulated programming signals and bi-directional data signals between said IE and each respective SPEE using out-of-band signaling so that there is no overlap between said programming signals and said bi-directional data signals.  
 
     
     
       2. An on-demand program access system for broadband, frequency division multiplexed cable television programming signals comprising:
 an infrastructure element constituting a local video network service, said infrastructure element comprised of a channel service tuner, a microcontroller, a LAN controller, an RF modem, and input diplexer and an output diplexer, said input diplexer and said output diplexer being connected to said channel service tuner, said input RF diplexer being connected for bi-directional control signals to said RF modem,  
 said channel service tuner implementing frequency translation of up to four television channels, the input and output frequencies of the four channels of the channel service tuner being controlled by said microcontroller which receives channel service requests from a subscriber premise equipment element (SPEE), through said LAN controller,  
 a plurality of subscriber premise equipment elements (SPEE), coaxial premise wiring means connecting each SPEE with said output diplexer for conducting RF modulated program signals and bi-directional data signals between the IE and each respective SPEE using out-of-band signaling so that there is no overlap between said programming signals and said bi-directional data signals.  
 
     
     
       3. The on-demand program access system for broadband frequency division multiplexed cable television programming signals as defined in  claim 2  including first and second RF splitter combiners connected on the upstream and downstream ends of said channel service tuner, respectively,
 and a bypass filter connecting between said two RF splitter/combiners and controlled by said microcontroller.  
 
     
     
       4. The invention defined in  claim 3  wherein said bypass filter is switch-controlled by said microcontroller. 
     
     
       5. An on-demand program access system for broadband, frequency division multiplexed cable television programming signals comprising:
 an infrastructure element constituting a local video network service, said infrastructure element comprised of a channel service tuner, a microcontroller, a LAN controller, an RF modem, and input diplexer and an output diplexer, said input diplexer and said output diplexer being connected to said channel service tuner, said input RF diplexer being connected for bi-directional control signals to said RF modem,  
 said channel service tuner implementing frequency translation of up to four television channels, the input and output frequencies of the four channels of the channel service tuner being controlled by said microcontroller which receives channel service requests from a subscriber premise equipment element (SPEE), through said LAN controller, first and second RF splitter combiners connected on the upstream and downstream ends of said channel service tuner, respectively,  
 and a bypass filter connected between said two RF splitter/combiners and controlled by said microcontroller,  
 a plurality of subscriber premise equipment elements (SPEE), coaxial premise wiring means connecting each SPEE with said output diplexer for conducting RF modulated program signals and bi-directional data signals between the IE and each respective SPEE using out-of-band signaling so that there is no overlap between said programming signals and said bi-directional data signals.